Abnormal Psychology A.K.A.$Psychological$Disorders$

“Normal”%behavior%can%be%defined%in%many%ways%and%is%dependent%on%context,%geneBcs,%biology,%thinking,%and%emoBons.%%

A disorder is a syndrome marked by a clinically significant

disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior.%

Early%Theories%•  Abnormal%behavior%was%evil%spirits%trying%to%get%out.%

•  Trephining%was%oFen%used.%

•  1800’s%I>%syphilis%affects%brain%%•  Led%to%medical%model%%

PerspecBves%and%Disorders%

Psychological++School/Perspec1ve+ Cause+of+the+Disorder+

PsychoanalyBc/Psychodynamic% Internal,%unconscious%drives%

HumanisBc% Failure%to%strive%to%one�s%potenBal%or%being%out%of%touch%with%one�s%feelings.%

Behavioral% Reinforcement%history,%the%environment.%

CogniBve% IrraBonal,%dysfuncBonal%thoughts%or%ways%of%thinking.%

Sociocultural% DysfuncBonal%Society%

Biomedical/Neuroscience% Organic%problems,%biochemical%imbalances,%geneBc%predisposiBons.%

DSM%5%(new%this%year)%•  Diagnos1c+Sta1s1cal+

Manual+of+Mental+Disorders+

•  Classifies%disorders%and%describes%the%symptoms.%

•  Does%NOT%explain%the%causes%or%possible%cures.%

•  Physicians%and%mental%health%workers%use%the%detailed%“diagnosBc%criteria%and%codes”%in%the%DSMI5%to%guide%medical%diagnoses%and%define%who%is%eligible%for%treatments,%including%medicaBon.%

•  Visit%h\p://www.dsm5.org/Documents/changes%20from%20dsmIivItr%20to%20dsmI5.pdf%for%more%info%%

The%Rosenhan%Study%•  Rosenhan%+%seven%associates%pretended%to%hear%voices.%%

•  They%were%all%admi\ed%for%schizophrenia,%even%though%they%did%everything%else%normally.%

•  None%were%exposed%as%imposters.%•  They%all%leF%diagnosed%with%schizophrenia%in%remission.%

•  Labels%ma\er.%%•  Ex:%watching%job%applicants%vs%watching%exIcons%

•  SelfIfulfilling%prophecy%%

Who%has%a%disorder?%%%

When%does%it%begin?%%%

•  25%%of%Americans%in%an%average%year.%

%%%%•  AnBsocial%Personality%–%age%8%%•  Phobia%–%age%10%%•  OCD%–%age%20%•  Bipolar%–%age%20%%•  Schizophrenia%–%age%20%%•  Depression%–%age%25%%

Anxiety%Disorders%•  A%group%of%disorders%marked%by%distressing,%persistent%anxiety%or%dysfuncBonal%anxietyIreducing%behaviors.%%

•  the%paBent%fears%something%awful%will+happen%to%them.%

•  They%are%in%a%state%of%intense%apprehension,%uneasiness,%uncertainty,%or%fear.%%%

Phobias%•  a%person%is%intensely%and%irraBonally%afraid%of%a%specific%object%or%situaBon%%

•  Must%be%an%irraBonal%fear.%

•  Must%interfere%with%daily%life%%

•  Phobia%List%•  Agoraphobia%

Top%5%Fears%

Women ++

•  snakes%%•  Tied%up%•  Buried%alive%•  Heights%•  Public%speaking%%

Men+

•  Buried%alive%•  Heights%•  Snakes%•  Drowning%•  Public%speaking%%

Generalized%Anxiety%Disorder%GAD%

•  An%anxiety%disorder%in%which%a%person%is%conBnuously%tense,%apprehensive%and%in%a%state%of%autonomic%nervous%system%arousal.%

•  The%paBent%is%constantly%tense%and%worried,%feels%inadequate,%is%oversensiBve,%can’t%concentrate%and%suffers%from%insomnia.%%

•  Anxiety%in%Children%

Panic%Disorder%

•  An%anxiety%disorder%marked%by%a%minutesIlong%episode%of%intense%dread%in%which%a%person%experiences%terror%and%accompanying%chest%pain,%choking%and%other%frightening%sensaBons.%

•  Video%

ObsessiveIcompulsive%disorder%•  Persistent%unwanted%

thoughts%(obsessions)%cause%someone%to%feel%the%need%(compulsion)%to%engage%in%a%parBcular%acBon.%

•  Obsession%about%dirt%and%germs%may%lead%to%compulsive%hand%washing.%

•  Compulsions:%Hoarders,%Checkers,%Counters,%Cleaners%%

•  OCD%video%•  As%OCD%as%it%gets%•  Stuck%in%a%Doorway%

PostItraumaBc%Stress%Disorder%a.k.a.%PTSD%

•  a%person%has%lingering%memories,%nightmares,%and%other%symptoms%for%weeks%aFer%a%severely%threatening,%uncontrollable%event%%

•  Memories%of%the%event%cause%anxiety.%

•  19%%of%Vietnam%veterans%%

•  20%%of%Iraq%veterans%%•  PTSD%video%

PerspecBves%on%Disorders%•  Behavioral%%

– CondiBoning%%• When%bad%events%happen%unpredictably%and%uncontrollably,%anxiety%or%other%disorders%oFen%develop%%

•  Avoiding%the%situaBon%or%following%compulsion%makes%you%feel%be\er%(aka%reinforcement)%%

– ObservaBonal%Learning%%• We%see%others%act%that%way,%so%we%do%too.%%

– CogniBon%%•  Can’t%stop%intrusive%thoughts%%

PerspecBves%on%Disorders%•  Biological%%

– Natural%SelecBon%%•  People%who%feared%snakes%were%able%to%pass%on%their%genes%%

– GeneBcs% %%•  More%likely%to%be%anxious%if%your%parents%are%too%

•  Genes%associated%with%disorders%%– Brain%%

•  Can%minimize%fear%by%giving%a%drug%injecBon%that%stops%emoBonal%reacBon%and%having%the%person%think%of%the%feared%thing/event/memory,%thus%reIrecording%a%fearIfree%version%%

Mood%Disorders%

•  Experience%extreme%or%inappropriate%emoBon.%

Major+Depression+•  A.K.A.%unipolar%depression%•  Unhappy%for%at%least%two%weeks%with%no%apparent%cause.%

•  Depression%is%the%common%cold%of%psychological%disorders.%

•  10%%of%women%&%6%%of%men%worldwide%on%a%typical%year%%

Bipolar Disorder – Mania (manic)

• Overtalkative, overactive, elated, little need for sleep, etc.%%

• Engage%in%risky%behavior%during%the%manic%episode.

– Bipolar disorder and creativity

%

Understanding Depressive and Bipolar Disorders

•  Many behavioral and cognitive changes accompany depression (inactive, unmotivated, sensitive,

•  Women’s risk of major depression is nearly double men’s

•  Most major depressive episodes self-terminate •  Stressful events related to work, marriage and

close relationships often proceed depression •  With each new generation, depression is striking

earlier and affecting more people

% of 18 to 84-year-olds experiencing major depression

at some point in life

Understanding Depressive and Bipolar Disorders The Biological Perspective

•  Genetic Influences – Mood disorders run in families

• Heritability •  The depressed brain

• Diminished brain activity • Smaller frontal lobe (7%)

•  Biochemical influences – Norepinephrine and serotonin

•  Diet

Understanding Depressive and Bipolar Disorders The Social-Cognitive

Perspective • Negative Thoughts and Moods Interact

– Self-defeating beliefs • Learned helplessness • Rumination

– Explanatory style • Stable, global, internal explanations

– Cause versus indictor of depression?

Schizophrenic%Disorders%•  About%1%in%every%100%people%

are%diagnosed%with%schizophrenia.%

Symptoms%of%Schizophrenia%1.  Disorganized%speech%%2.  Disturbed%PercepBons%3.  Inappropriate%EmoBons%and%

AcBons%•  Psychotic - a psychological

disorder in which a person loses contact with reality, experiencing irrational ideas and distorted perceptions.%

Disorganized%Thinking%•  The%thinking%of%a%person%

with%Schizophrenia%is%fragmented%and%bizarre%and%distorted%with%false%beliefs.%

•  Disorganized%thinking%comes%from%a%breakdown%in%selecBve%a\enBon.%They%cannot%filter%out%informaBon.%

•  Word%salad%I%"Imagine%the%worst%systemaBc,%sympatheBc,%quite%patheBc,%apologeBc,%paramedic.%Your%heart%is%prostheBc.”%

Delusions%(false%beliefs)%

•  Delusions+of+Persecu1on+

•  Delusions+of+Grandeur+

Disturbed+Percep1ons%

•  hallucina1onsI%sensory%experiences%without%sensory%sBmulaBon.%%

Inappropriate+Emo1ons+and+Ac1ons%

•  Laugh%at%inappropriate%Bmes.%

•  Flat%Effect%%•  Senseless,%compulsive%acts.%

•  CatatoniaI%moBonless%Waxy%Flexibility%

•  Pos/Neg%symptoms%%

•  SimulaBon%%

•  Drugstore%SimulaBon%%

Understanding Schizophrenia Brain Abnormalities:

Dopamine Overactivity • Dopamine Overactivity

– Dopamine – D4 dopamine receptor – Dopamine blocking

drugs • Glutamate

Understanding Schizophrenia Brain Abnormalities:

Abnormal Brain Activity and Anatomy • Abnormal Brain Activity and Anatomy

– Frontal lobe and core brain activity – Fluid filled areas of the brain

Understanding Schizophrenia Brain Abnormalities:

Maternal Virus During Midpregnancy

• Maternal Virus During Pregnancy – Studies on maternal activity and

schizophrenia – Influence of the flu during pregnancy

Understanding Schizophrenia Genetic Factors

• Genetic predisposition •  Twin studies

Understanding Schizophrenia Psychological Factors

• Possible warning signs – Mother severely schizophrenic – Birth complications (low weight/oxygen

deprivation) – Separation from parents – Short attention span – Disruptive or withdrawn behavior – Emotional unpredictability – Poor peer relations and solo play

AuBsm%%•  Social%withdrawal%(prominent%in%both%auBsm%and%schizophrenia)%%

•  Diagnosed%by%age%3%(schizophrenia%between%15%and%30%years)%%•  Mostly%in%males%(schizophrenia%equal%in%males%and%females)%

9+behaviors+of+the+au1s1c+child:++1.  Social%isolaBon%%2.  Stereotyped%behaviors,%(rocking,%biBng%hands,%and%staring)%%3.  Resistance%to%any%change%in%rouBne%%4.  Abnormal,%oFen%extreme,%responses%to%sensory%sBmuli%%

5.  InsensiBvity%to%pain%%6.  Inappropriate%emoBonal%expression%%

7.  Disturbances%of%movement%(abnormal%gait,%rocking,%grimacing)%%

8.  Poor%development%of%speech%%

9.  Specific,%limited%intellectual%problems%%

Somatoform%Disorders%

•  Occur%when%a%person%manifests%a%psychological%problem%through%a%physiological%symptom.%

•  Two%types……%

Illness%Anxiety%Disorder%Hypochondriasis%

•  Has%frequent%physical%complaints%for%which%medical%doctors%are%unable%to%locate%the%cause.%

•  They%usually%believe%that%the%minor%issues%(headache,%upset%stomach)%are%indicaBve%are%more%severe%illnesses.%

Conversion%Disorder%•  Report%the%existence%of%severe%physical%problems%%with%no%biological%reason.%

•  Like%blindness%or%paralysis.%•  Band%of%Brothers%example%

•  Leroy,%NY%example%

•  Leroy,%NY%example%analysis%

Pol%Pot%

DissociaBve%Disorders%

•  These%disorders%involve%a%disrupBon%in%the%conscious%process.%

•  Three%types….%

Psychogenic%Amnesia%

•  A%person%cannot%remember%things%with%no%physiological%basis%for%the%disrupBon%in%memory.%

•  Retrograde%Amnesia%•  NOT%organic%amnesia.%•  Organic%amnesia%can%be%retrograde%or%antrograde.%

DissociaBve%Fugue%People%with%psychogenic%amnesia%that%find%themselves%in%an%unfamiliar%environment.%

David%Fitzpatrick%from%London%

Edward%Lighthart%from%Sea\le%

%%

DissociaBve%IdenBty%Disorder%

•  Used%to%be%known%as%MulBple%Personality%Disorder.%

•  A%person%has%several%rather%than%one%integrated%personality.%

•  People%with%DID%commonly%have%a%history%of%childhood%abuse%or%trauma.%

•  Herschel%Walker%

Personality%Disorders%

•  Inflexible%and%enduring%behavior%pa\erns%that%impair%social%funcBoning%%

•  WellIestablished,%maladapBve%ways%of%behaving%that%negaBvely%affect%people�s%ability%to%funcBon.%

Three%Clusters%%

A.  Odd/Eccentric%Behaviors%–%Paranoid%and%Schizoid%

B.  DramaBc/Impulsive%Behaviors%I%AnBsocial,%borderline,%histrionic,%and%narcissisBc%%

C.  AnxietyIRelated%–%Avoidant,%Dependent,%ObsessiveICompulsive%%

AnBsocial%Personality%Disorder%

•  Lack%of%conscience%and%empathy%

•  Li\le%regard%for%other�s%feelings%•  View%the%world%as%hosBle%and%look%

out%for%themselves%

•  Minimal%autonomic%arousal%%

•  (Athlete,%firefighter,%adventurer)%%•  11%%less%frontal%lobe%Bssue%%•  Ex:%The%Joker%•  “Psychopath”%is%not%listed%in%the%

(DSM);%it’s%a%legal%term.%%

•  People&who&never&lie&are&suckers.&•  If&I&don’t&feel&like&doing&something,&I&

just&don’t&do&it.&•  My&favorite&entertainment&is&messing&

with&other&people.&&

Dependent%Personality%Disorder%

•  Rely%too%much%on%the%a\enBon%and%help%of%others.%

•  People%with%this%disorder%do%not%trust%their%own%ability%to%make%decisions.%%

•  They%may%be%very%upset%by%separaBon%and%loss.%%

•  They%may%go%to%great%lengths,%even%suffering%abuse,%to%stay%in%a%relaBonship%

Borderline%Personality%Disorder%+•  oFen%have%difficulBes%controlling%emoBons%and%impulses%

•  find%it%hard%to%keep%relaBonships%•  experience%feelings%of%empBness%

•  suffer%quick%changes%in%mood%%

•  may%harm%themselves%

•  Problems%coping%with%abandonment%and%a%rapidly%changing%view%of%other%people%can%form%part%of%their%difficulBes%

•  find%it%hard%to%engage%in%or%sBck%with%treatment%and%leave%before%the%end%

•  Overview%

Histrionic%Personality%Disorder%

•  Needs%to%be%the%center%of%a\enBon.%

•  Whether%acBng%silly%or%dressing%provocaBvely.%

NarcissisBc%Personality%Disorder%

•  Having%an%unwarranted%sense%of%selfIimportance.%

•  Thinking%that%you%are%the%center%of%the%universe.%

Obsessive%–%Compulsive%Personality%Disorder%

•  Overly%concerned%with%certain%thoughts%and%performing%certain%behaviors.%

•  Not%as%extreme%as%OCD%anxiety.%

Other%Disorders%

•  Paraphilias%(pedophilia,%zoophilia,%hybristophilia)%

•  FeBshism%%

•  sadist,%masochist%

•  EaBng%Disorders%•  Substance%use%disorders%•  ADHD%

Two%Major%ClassificaBons%in%the%DSM%

Neuro1c+Disorders+•  Distressing%but%one%can%sBll%

funcBon%in%society%and%act%raBonally.%

Psycho1c+Disorders+•  Person%loses%contact%with%

reality,%experiences%distorted%percepBons.%

John%Wayne%Gacy%